INCIDENTS OF THE TOTARA ELECTION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 319, 1 May 1877, Page 4

INCIDENTS OF THE TOTARA ELECTION.

The Good Templars are in a dilemma (says a contemporary) with regard to the three candidates offering themselves for the Totara district. Mr. Gisborne is known not to entirely despise either a pint pot or clay pipe ; Mr. M'Gaffin has not yet joined the Order, nor is he likely to ; and Mr. Grimmond, in speaking of the Permissive Bill, is reported to have said at hi* Ross meeting that he " would let a man drink as long as he could keep on his legs." This is on the authority of the West Coast Times, which adds:—"Here is a fit subject for the Debating Society. Mr. Grimmond is reported to have said, in addressing the electors at Ross, 'The first thing a representative has to do is to advance the interests of the Colony, and then those of the district he represents.' Mr. M'Gaffin, to the electors at Woodstock the other evening, said, ' It is the duty of a member to look out for his own district first and the Colony afterwards.' " Referring to the payment of thirty shillings per diem to the members of the County Council of Westland, Mr. M'Gaffin ■aid when addressing the Ross electors, "At LI 10s. there is no balance left. The Council sits three days a week, and when I paid my hotel bill I was L 4 out of pocket." The Grey Argus referring to this says, " We do not doubt it, and it is perfectly certain that the present rate of payment of the members of the Grey County Council will have to be increased. At the last meeting the county chairman gave notice of a motion to rescind the resolution upon this subject, with the view no doubt of adopting a rate which will really defray the expenses of the country numbers."